barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

Examples of barley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other grains, such as barley, farro, or wild rice, also work well in this salad. —Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 8 Jan. 2026

As mentioned, gluten is a protein naturally found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

But what seems to make Kilchoman stand out is that the barley used for the 100% Islay whisky is grown on its own farm instead of being sourced from a local grower. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2026

So the farmgate price of wheat or barley in many areas north of the Canadian border was lower than in our country until the Canadian rail net filled in. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barly, from Old English bærlic of barley; akin to Old English bere barley, Latin far spelt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing barley

• barley-bree
• barley-broo
• barley sugar
• barley wine

Rhymes for barley

• charley
• charlie
• marly
• bizarrely

Kids Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass with flowers in dense spikes

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, in foods (as soups and cereals), or as feed for livestock

Medical Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns

also : its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds